Razor blade sharpener



Sept 18, 19341.,

c. HOBART RAZOR. BLADE SHARPENER Filed Aug. 2, 1933 s Sheets-Sheet 1 @MM My:

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I RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER" Filed Aug. 2, 1%: 3 Shets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 18, 1934 1,974,048

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Louis C. Hobart, Southington, Conn.

Application August 2, 1933, Serial No. 683,244 13 Claims. (Cl. 5157) This invention relates to improvements in razor Fig. 7 is a sectional, longitudinal elevation on blade sharpeners, and more particularly to safety line 7-7 of Fig. 1; razor blade sharpeners. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on One object of this invention is to provide a line 8-8 of Fig. 1; razor blade sharpener or double-edge razor Fig. 9 is a transverse, sectional elevation on blades, in which a single sharpening member line 9--9 of Fig.2; and has two spaced sharpening surfaces in perma- Fig. 10 is a transverse, sectional elevation on nently fixed or .rigid accurate relation to each line 10-10 of Fig. 2. other so that both edges of razor blades will 210- In the following description and claims, the 10 cu'rately contact with corresponding sharpenvarious parts of the apparatus and details of the ing surfaces of the sharpening member. invention will be identified by specific names for Another object of this invention is to provide convenience, but they are intended to be as gea razor blade sharpener for double-edge razor neric in their application as the prior art will blades, in which a single reversible sharpening permit.

15 member has two sets of sharpening surfaces on Referring to the drawings, the sharpening deits opposite faces. vice comprises a base 20 provided with an up- Another object of this invention is to prowardly extending portion 21 adapted to slidably vide a razor blade sharpener in which bolts enter a case member or casing 22. Holes 23, 24, serve both to hold parts of the sharpener ascountersunk in the base 20 at 25, 26, are pro- 20 sembled together and to position razor blades vided for the reception of flanged bushings 27, for sharpening 28, preferably of resilient cushioning material Another object of this invention is to provide such, for example, as rubber. The flanged bushan electromagnetic razor blade sharpener with ings have central bores to receive bolts 29, 30, cushioning means so forming part of the conthe upper ends of which are provided with 25 struction as-to minimize or eliminate the transthreads 31, 32 to engage the threaded portions mission of the vibrations of the sharpener to a of the bores of the nuts or members 33, 34, which table or desk on which the sharpener is suphave dome shaped upper portions suitable to enported. ter the positioning holes of a safety razor blade, Another object of this invention is to provide and polygonal lower portions 35, 36, suitable to 30 an electromagnetic razor blade sharpener in be engaged by a wrench. The bolts 29, 30., prowhich the casing is normally resiliently held ject slightly through the upper ends of the memspaced above the base and so that when a porbers 33, 34, so that after final adjustment of the tion of the casing is depressed, an electric switch device has been made, the bolt ends may be upis closed. set, as by heading or spinning, to provide en- 5 With the above and other objects in view, this largements 95, 96, whereby the bolts cannot work invention includes the improved features, parts loose and the device is sealed against tampering. and combinations of parts disclosed in the fol- Coil supporting members 37, 38, preferably of lowing description, appended claims and accomresilient cushioning material, rest on the central panying drawings forming a part of this speciflat portions of metal springs 39, 40, which ex- 40 fi ation tend within the recesses in the platform 41 of In the accompanying drawings in which the base 20 to insure proper positioning of the tain ways of carrying out the invention are shown A Sheet metal spflng member 37, Testfor illustrative purposes: on the Supports 37, 38, p ov ded on one side Fig 1 is a plan View illustrating an embodi w1th upwardly bent extensions or ears 42, 43, and

on its other side with a single, wide, upwardly 45 ment of the 1nvent1on;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1; ear Thehamiature 45 made of Fig 3 is a left end elevation of F1 net c material suc as iron and is attached to the spring ears 42, 43 by riveting or otherwise and 4 is a right end elevation of 2 with extends into position to be acted upon by the 5 modified form of Sharpening member and core 46 of the coil 4'? and is provided with ears i t electrifi switch 48, 49, extending upwardly. The core 46 is formed Fig. 5 IS a Y f W 511111194 t0 4 Wlth the Swltch of laminations of magnetic material such as iron. in c o POSItIOD; A T-shaped member 50 is similarly attached Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view on line 66 of as by riveting to the spring car 44. A plate '70, 55 Fig. 2; 1 constituting the roof or top of the case 22, is

provided with openings 51, 52, 53, through which the upwardly extending parts 48, 49, 50, protrude, the openings being of a size to permit free vibratory or oscillatory action of the protruding parts. Notches 54, 5.5, 56, are provided for the reception of the sharpening member 57 which is preferably a permanent magnet and has beveled edges 58, 59 whereby it is held as in a 3 point suspension by the opposing tensions of the spring at a correct angle and must have their longitudi nal axes parallel to each other to a high degree of accuracy. If the axes of the sharpening surfaces are not accurately parallel, the opposite edges of the razor blade will not both rest in proper sharpening position on the sharpening surfaces. By forming the sharpening surfaces on a single relatively rigid member, I am able to both initially form the sharpening surfaces accurately and retain them so indefinitely.

The sharpening member 57 may also be provided on its lower face with a pair of spaced sharpening surfaces 62, 63. If desired, the pair of sharpening surfaces 60, 61 may be made at a suitable angle for an ordinary weight of beard and sharpening surfaces 62, 63 may be made at an angle suitable for a heavy weight of beard. It will be observed that the sharpening member 57 can be readily snapped out of its engagement with the notches in the parts 48, 49, 50 to readily permit of reversing the sharpening member face for face to bring the sharpening surfaces 62, 63 into the upper or sharpening position or for renewing, changing or replacing the sharpening member at will.

The modified form of sharpening member 64 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 may be formed of sheet metal and is provided with a pair of sharpening surfaces 65, 66. The sharpening member 64 can be snapped into and out of position in the notches in the parts 48, 49, 50 similarly to the sharpening member 57. The sharpening member 64 is provided with only one pair of sharpening surfaces and therefore is not reversible.

To insure proper positioning of the parts, the

spring member 87, which may be of brass, is.

provided with a central, rectangular opening 69 through which a slight projection of the core 46 may extend. In like manner, the roof or top plate 70 is provided with openings '71, 72 through which the bolts 29, 30 pass, whereby the proper spacing of the bolts is insured, and is also provided with a central, rectangular opening 73 through which a slight extension of the core 46 may extend to insure proper positioning of the parts. A coil 47 surrounds tne central core 46 and rests on the spring plate 8'7, the roof plate '70 resting on top of the coil and being held down by the nuts or threaded members 33, 34 and the bolts 29, 30.

The longitudinal spring 39 rests at its central part on the ledge 21 of the base .20, the central portion of the spring having a lateral extension 88 (Fig. 10) adapted to fit a recess in the platform 41 of the base 20 whereby the position of the spring is established. The member 37 resting on the lateral extension 88 of the spring 39 maintains the spring in position. The extremities of the spring 39 are curved upward to bear upward against the internal bosses or enlargements 74, 75 (Fig. 6) of the case 22. In like manner the spring 40 rests at its central part on the ledge 21 of the base 20, the central, lateral extension of the spring 89 fitting a recess in the platform 41 of the base 20 whereby the position of the spring is established. The member 38 resting on the lateral extension 89 maintains the spring in position. The extremities of the spring 40 are curved upward to, bear against the internal bosses or enlargements 77, 78 of the case 22. A transverse extension '79 of the spring 40 (Figs. 4, 5) rests on an extension of the platform 41, its extreme end forming a switch part or member and being in operative position with relation to the cooperating switch part 76 of the spring 39.

An upwardly extending projection 82 is provided'at one end of the case to serve as a push button. Normally, as when the switch is open or off, the parts are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 4 where the open switch gap between parts '76 and 81 is clearly shown. Pressure on part 82, causing downward movement of the corresponding end of the case 22, causes the extension 79 of the spring 40 to rock on the platform extension 80 to cause the switch part 81 to contact with part 76, closing the electric circuit.

An opening 83 is provided at one end or side of the case 22 whereby the conductors 97, 90 may enter the case, one end of these conductors being connected, as by the ordinary connecting plug, with a source of electrical energy. Within the case of the device, the conductor 97 is connected as by soldering 91, to the spring member 39 and the conductor 90 is connected as by soldering 92 with one terminal of the coil winding 47. The other terminal of the coil winding 47 is connected as by soldering 93 with the short conductor 94, the other end of which conductor 94 is connected as by soldering 95 with the spring member 40.

The ledge or platform 21 is cut away at 84 to provide ample space for the conductors 97, 90. The supporting member 38 is provided with a central, transverse opening 85 (Figs. 8, 10) and the armature 45 is provided with an extension 86 (Figs. 6, 8, 10) positioned within the opening 85 whereby the movement of the armature may be limited. For eificient operation, the armature 45 should work as close as possible to the end of the core 46, but preferably should not touch the core as excessive noise results. The opening 85 in the cushioning support 38 acts both to properly limit the approach of the armature toward the core and avoid noise from the armature striking the core or the support 38, since the latter is of rubber or other suitable cushioning material.

By having the bushings 27, 28 and the supporting members 37, 38 of cushioning materialas rubber-the power actuated, vibrating members are full floating with reference to the base when in operation. That is, they are not rigidly connected with the base. Contact of the roof or top plate '70 with the case 22 will be broken by depression of the part 82 of the case to operate the starting switch-all contributing to minimizing the noise incident to vibration of operation of the device. The spring member 8'? may be convexed (bent upwardly at its central part) and the width and consequent rigidity of the spring ear 44 be made not equal to the sum of the widths of the opposing ears 42, 43, Whereupon by tightening the bolts 29, 30, the convexity of the spring member 87 would be reduced, the

members 37, 38 would be compressed and the relative positionsof the armature 45 and core 46 would be changed-all contributing to tuning the device for proper large amplitude of vibration of armature 45 and sharpening member 57, and compensating for commercial variations of construction and assembly of the parts, and variations of the electrical characteristics of the coils.

The heads of the bolts 29, 30 engage against the lower cushioning members or bushings 27, 28, with the bolts 29, 30 extending upwardly through openings in the spring member 87, openings in the core 46 (Fig. 6) formed by the short central laminations of the core 46, through openings 71, 72 in the roof or top plate 70, and carry the threaded nuts 33, 34 which latter form portions of the bolts and extend through the openings 67, 68 in the sharpening member 57, which openings 67, 68 are elongated to permit free vibratory or oscillatory motion of the sharpening member 57.

The bolts 29, 30 hold the roof or top plate or limit member 70, coil 47, spring plate 87, the upper cushioning members or supports 37, 38, spring members 39, 40 and the lower cushioning members or bushings 2'7, 28 all clamped firmly but resiliently to the base 20. It will be observed that the casing or case 22 is spaced on all sides away from the coil 47, thus minimizing the transmission of heat to the case 22, which if made of certain materials would soften if subjected to excessive heat. This air space surrounding the coil 47 becomes heated by the coil and passes up and out of openings 51, 52, 53 in the top plate 70, at the same time being replaced by fresh cool air entering through the opening 83 in the case 22,,thus maintaining air circulation which aids in carrying away the heat developed in the coil 4'7 and its core 46.

The top plate 70, which is preferably of nonmagnetic metal, such as brass, for example, has intimate engagement with the sides of the upper end of the core 46, and aids in carrying heat away by conducting heat away from the upper end of the core 46 and coil 47, the heat being carried away from the plate '70 by radiation and convection.

The operation of the device is as follows. To establish the desired angle at the extreme cutting edges of a safety razor blade, an abrasive compound, furnished with the device and consisting of a lubricant impregnated with a very fine abrasive, is moistened and applied to the lapping surfaces. The double edge blade is placed with its edges resting on the inclined lapping surfaces 60, 61, the positioning pins passing through the locating holes of the blade. The blade will then be firmly held down by the permanent magnetism of the sharpening or lapping member 57 (or 64), the amount of actual pressureof the blade edges against the inclined lapping surfaces being determined by the magnetic attraction between the blade and sharpening or lapping member. The button like projection 82 of the case is then pressed downward by the user, depressing the corresponding end of the case'and causing the switch to close the electrical circuit by contact of the switch parts '76, 81 (Fig.5).

Alternating current flowing through the coil 4'7 will set up a magnetic force which reverses as the current alternates. field, apparent at the core 46 of the coil, will act on the vibratorily suspended armature 45 to cause it to vibrate, which motion, evident in the upturned ears 48, 49 of the armature, will cause a This reversal of magnetic vibratory or oscillatory movement of the sharpening or honing member. Since the blade is prevented from participating in this movement by the nuts 33, 34 of the stationary positioning pins or bolts 29, 30, its edges will be rubbed by the abrasive-covered, inclined lapping surfaces of the sharpening member.

To finish the edges of a blade so treated, the same sequence of operations is followed as for lapping described above, except that the rubbing 815 surfaces of the sharpening member are moistened but no abrasive compound is used, whereby the cutting edges of the blade are burnished.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without Q departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the 'present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equiv- 9| alency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A razor blade sharpener comprising: electromagnetic means, spaced vibratory elements, one of which is adapted to be vibrated by said electromagnetic means; a one piece sharpening member interconnecting said vibratory elements and having spaced sharpening surfaces; and fixed razor blade positioning means.

2. A razor blade sharpener comprising: electromagnetic means; spaced vibratory elements, one of said vibratory elements being adapted to be vibrated by said electromagnetic means; a one piece sharpening member spanning and entirely supported and held by said vibratory elements and having spaced sharpening surfaces; and fixed razor blade positioning means.

3. A razor blade sharpener comprising: electromagnetic means including an upstanding magnetizable core; spaced vibratory elements, one of said vibratory elements extending lengthwise and outside of said core and having an armature extending transversely of, and located adjacent the lower end of said core; a sharpening member extending transversely of the upper end of said core and spanning said vibratory elements; and fixed razor blade positioning means.

4. A razor blade sharpener comprising: electromagnetic means; spaced resiliently mounted vi- 5 bratory elements, one of said vibratory elements being adapted to be vibrated by said electromagnetic means; a reversible one-piece sharpening member having sharpening surfaces on its opposite faces and adapted to reversibly span and be entirely supported and held by said vibratory elements; and fixed razor blade positioning means.

5. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; electromagnetic means; upwardly extending bolts securing said electromagnetic means to said base 5 and also serving to position a razor'blade; vibratory means adapted to be vibrated by said electromagnetic means; and a sharpening member carried by said vibratory means and extending transversely of the upper ends of said bolts.

6. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; spacing means on said base; electromagnetic means upon said spacing means and having an upstanding core with a lower core end adjacent but spaced from said base; vibratory means having an armature extending transversely of said core into the space between said base and said lower core endra sharpening member adjacent the upper core end and actuatable by said vibratory means; and razor blade positioning means.

7. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; spacing means on said base and provided with an opening; electromagnetic means upon said spacing means and having an upstanding core with a lower core end adjacent but spaced from said base; vibratory means having an armature extending transversely of said core through said opening and into the space between said baseand said lower core end; a sharpening member adjacent the upper core end and actuatable by said vibratory means; and razor blade positioning means.

8. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; cushioning spacing means on said base and provided with an opening; electromagnetic means upon said cushioning spacing means and having an upstanding core with a lower core end adjacent but spaced from said base; vibratory means having an armature extending transversely of said core through said opening and into the space between said base and said lower core end; a sharpening member adjacent the upper core end and actuatable by said vibratory means; and razor blade positioning means.

9. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; electromagnetic means supported by said base; vibratory sharpening means adapted to be actuated by said electromagnetic means; a casing normally resiliently held spaced from said base; electrical connections to said electromagnetic means, including a switch, said switch normally being open while said casing is resiliently held spaced from said base, said switch being closable when a portion of said casing adjacent said switch is pressed toward said base; and razor blade positioning means.

10. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; electromagnetic means supported by said base; vibratory sharpening means adapted to be actuated by said electromagnetic means; limit means connected to said base; a casing; electrical connections to said electromagnetic means and including a switch, part of said switch comprising a spring normally resiliently pressing said casing againstsaid limit means with said part of said switch held away from switch closing position, said switch being closable when a portion of said casing adjacent said switch is pressed toward said base; and razor blade positioning means.

11. A razor bladesharpener comprising: a base;

electromagnetic means supported by said base; vibratory sharpening means adapted to be actuated by said electromagnetic means; limit means connected to said base; a casing; electrical connections to said electromagnetic means, including a switch, said switch comprising a pair of spring switch parts extending along opposite sides of said casing and normally resiliently pressing said casing against said limit means with said switch in open position, said switch being closable when a portion of said casing adjacent said switch is pressed toward said base; and razor blade positioning means.

12. A razor blade sharpener comprising: a base; electromagnetic means supported by said base; vibratory sharpening means adapted to be actuated by said electromagnetic means; limit means connected to said base; a casing; electrical connections to said electromagnetic means, including a switch, said switch comprising a pair of springs extending along opposite sides of said casing and normally resiliently pressing said casconnected to said base; a casing; electrical connections to said electromagnetic means, including a switch adjacent one side of said casing and lead-in wires adjacent the opposite side of said casing, part of said switch comprising a spring extending along a side of said casing between said one and opposite sides of said casing and connected to one of said lead-in wires and normally resiliently pressing said casing against said limit means with said part of said switch away from switch closing position, said switch being closable when a portion of said casing adjacent said switch is pressed toward said base; and razor blade positioning means.

LOUIS C. HOBART. 

